Treasury Board wraps up collective bargaining blitz

Today, Canada's border agents reached a tentative agreement with the federal government, signifying an end to the Treasury Board’s collective bargaining blitz.

Following eight months of negotiations – which saw the union filing unfair labour practice complaints – more than 8,700 staff at the Canada Border Services Agency were unanimously encouraged by their union to ratify the deal.

“This agreement is consistent with settlements reached by other federal law enforcement workers and maintains the wage parity that we achieved in the previous round of negotiations,” said the Public Service Alliance of Canada. “In terms of compensation, scheduling rights and arming protections, this agreement is dramatically better than the final offer submitted to our team in the spring – and that the government attempted to force a vote on this past summer.”

According to PSAC, the deal includes a 5.25 per cent wage increase over three years, as well as an additional $1,750 yearly allowance for inland enforcement, criminal investigations and regional intelligence officers. Non-uniformed officers will get an annual allowance of $1,250 and a $500 signing bonus.

The tentative agreement also ups bereavement leave and improves seniority and severance provisions.

Minister Tony Clement, who helms the Treasury Board, said the agreement concludes the current round of negotiations with the public administration.

“During this round of collective bargaining, which began in 2011, we have reached 27 agreements with 17 different bargaining agents in the core public administration through balanced and consistent negotiations,” said Clement. “All of this work has been guided by the government’s firm commitment to reaching fiscally responsible settlements that are fair to Canadian taxpayers and employees.”